Serbian Conversations, Part 2

At long last, I present the second interview with Fr. Daniel Sysoyev and Yuri Maximov which they gave in Serbia. “O Lord, open Thou my lips and my mouth shall declare Thy praise” Stanoje Stankovic: The first question: What do you think about missions in the world, that is, in Africa, in Russia, in Serbia, [...]

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On St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic)

The following translation is an excerpt from the chapter “White Church” (a village in Serbia) from the book Establishment of Unity by Archbishop John (Shahovskoy). “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God … But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” [...]

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The eyes of the soul

…what can be said about those who have received Baptism and Chrismation as the two eyes of the soul and, in spite of that, sin as those who are unbaptized? At the Last Judgment, they will not be treated as those who are born blind, rather they will be treated like transgressors who willfully disfigured [...]

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Reminding the ungrateful

Behold, God rejoices more when we recognize Him by His mercy than by His anger. However, there are very ungrateful and thoughtless people who never remember God when He grants mercy, but remember Him only when He chastises and rebukes them through sickness, death in the family, failure and shame before men, fire, the sword, [...]

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Sin gradually ceases to be

Whoever restrains sinful thoughts, does not think of his own sins or the sins of others neither of anything corruptible nor of anything earthly. The mind of such a man is continually in heaven where there is no evil. Thus, in him, sin gradually ceases to be, even in his thoughts. St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic)

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Poorer than the ox

…when rational man, whose entire dignity is in the knowledge of God, does not know God, i.e., when the “one who sees God” becomes blind toward God, then the dignity of the ox and the ass is raised in dignity above such a man. For an ox, without exception, recognizes his master and the ass, [...]

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The spreading of liberty

St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) comments on the modern American dream of spreading democracy and “liberty,” “freedom,” etc. (choose whatever pop phrase you like): “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants (slaves) of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). …they promise [...]

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The end of all things

Some misguided men think more about the end of the world than the end of their lives even though it is obvious that for him to whom the end of his life comes the end of the world has come. St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) Technorati: St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) world Powered by Bleezer

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A radiant face

O brethren, let us not seek help in the helpless nor life in the lifeless. Let us turn our heads toward our living Creator Who gave us a face more radiant than the face of every earthly thing. Let us turn from the western ways to the eastern path, for on this path is salvation. [...]

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By His resurrection

…the Lord gave wings to the pathetic hopes of man, extended him beyond the grave and showed him the goal, purpose and fruit beyond the grave. St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) Technorati: St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) Pascha death Powered by Bleezer

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The blindness of man

…instinct of irrational creation is more valuable than the mind of man when darkened by sin. Of all the things which are in existence, nothing is more blind than the mind of man when darkened by sin. Not only does he not see what was created to be seen, rather, he sees that which is [...]

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Being saved

O, beloved children, Being humble is akin to being saved! St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) We must remember, however, that this kind of humility is far from Uriah Heep’s ‘umbleness. Tags: humility, salvation, St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) Powered by Qumana

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Apostasy has its price

Beware, O my soul, that such a fate does not befall you:        The entire lower half of his body was eaten away by worms, so that he vomited up his apostate soul in the most horrible pains.        St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) speaking of apostate judge Julian Tags: St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic), apostasy Powered by Qumana

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Simple Housekeeping

For as long as you are on earth, consider yourself a guest in the Household of Christ. … He is the most considerate Householder by Whom you were ever hosted. Be careful then toward Him. In a good household, the guest is required to behave. These are all simple words but they convey to you [...]

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The tempest

…the Lord also calls me to walk over the passionate dampness and tempest and how I set out but sink because of my little faith.
St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic) Tags: St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic), passions, faith Powered by Qumana

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Perfect obedience

The Orthodox Church by teaching men about perfect love, at the same time, also teaches them perfect obedience from which emanates order and harmony among the faithful. Bishops owe their obedience to the Lord. Priests owe their obedience to the bishops. The faithful owe their obedience to both [bishops and priests]. St. Ignatius writes about [...]

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Suffering Orthodoxy

Why does the good Lord permit assaults and sufferings on the True Faith while He permits the pleasure of tranquility to heresies and paganism? Why? Even St. John Chrysostom asks and immediately replies: ‘So that you would recognize their weakness (the weakness of the heresies and paganism) when you see that they disintegrate on their [...]

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Another beatitude

Blessed is he who knows his function and gift received from the Spirit, and who serves according to his designation to the end. Just as the Holy Spirit now apportions His gifts, so the Lord, in His time, will apportion rewards.O Lord, Holy Spirit, true God, help us to use Thy gifts to the end [...]

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Humbleness

If we are not humbled by virtues, then sin will humble us.St. Nikolaj (Velimirovic)

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The dead weight of technology

Ethics are likened to a lady, and technology like her handmaiden. That is why ethics have to control technology. Eternal values are the territory of ethics and not technology. It is devastating for an entire people to put the purpose of their lives in technology, and all of their labor and sweat they sacrifice to [...]

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